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Strong tradition runs on

Blanchard and Leland have some big shoes to fill

November 7, 2003

by DEWEY FORGET
PRESS DEMOCRAT

Cross-country running for Phyllis Blanchard and Shelby Leland is more than a sport,
it's a passion driven by tradition.

Blanchard of Rancho Cotate and Ukiah's Leland are adding to the illustrious history
of great girl cross country runners from the Redwood Empire that began in 1985 with
Analy's Sherry Minkler, picked up momentum in 1990 with Nika Horn of Santa Rosa,
and perpetuated by Julia Stamps (Santa Rosa), Sara Bei (Montgomery) and Amber
Trotter of Ukiah. And you can add Maria Carrillo's Jenny Aldridge, one of the best
800-meter and 1600-meter runners the area has produced, and Trina Cox of Santa
Rosa to the mix.

Blanchard and Leland are, arguably, the two best cross-country runners in the area
and are the favorites in the North Bay League meet Saturday at Ukiah. The NBL meet
kicks off a gruelling month for area runners. The NCS meet is Nov. 22, followed by the
state meet Nov. 29th in Fresno. The top 12 finishers at NCS qualify for state. Western
Regionals are at Mt. SAC (Walnut) the first week of December.

The Maria Carrillo girls, undefeated in the NBL and ranked second in the state in Div.
III, is the favorite in team competition.

The Sonoma County League championship meet is Nov. 12th.

Blanchard and Leland will have to contend with defending NBL champ Amy Robinson
of Maria Carrillo and Montgomery's Kim Conley. Other top runners are Maria Carrillo's
Kristin Sanzari and Kristin Fladseth and Ursuline's Kelly Lane.

Cardinal Newman's JK Withers, Ukiah's Tim Quiroga, Piner's Dawit Tesfasilassie and
Montgomery's KC Cody and Matt Fitch are the favorites in the boys division.

"There has been a continuity in the area that's remarkable," said Rancho Cotate coach
John Anderson, who has coached Blanchard, a senior, since her freshman year.

"The success in this area doesn't match with our population, but we've had coaching
consistency for a period of years and great places to train, like Howarth Park, Annadel
Park and Spring Lake. This is a very special place to run."

Blanchard and Leland are a study in opposites when it comes to running styles. Blanchard
prefers to go out fast, while Leland hangs back off the pace.

"Shelby doesn't like to go out in front like Trotter or Blanchard, she likes to let
someone else do the work," said Ukiah coach Jerry Drew. "Blanchard, though, is very
aggressive, like a dog on a bone."

Anderson says the quality of cross country runners in the Redwood Empire compares
favorably on a national level. "There is a strong running base here and I don't see it
stopping.
We are right there with other runnning hot spots like New Jersey and Colorado," he said.
Blanchard won the North Coast Section Div. I and finished fourth at the state meet last year.
She is considered one of the favorites again this year, but will be competing in Div. II
where she will be running against Lindsay Allan of College Park (Pleasant Hill), the
defending 1600-meter and 3200-meter NCS champ.

"Sure I would like to win the NCS and state, but this year I will have to run in Div. II and
that will be tough," Blanchard said. "It seems weird to think I'm one of the top runners in
the state. I don't feel like I am, but I guess it hasn't sunk in yet."

Blanchard and Leland have run against each other twice this season, in a North Bay League
meet and at the Cal-Poly Invitational. Blanchard won both races.
"Running against Phyliss is probably the best thing for both of us," Leland said. "It makes us
train harder knowing there is someone in the same league that will push you."

Running at Ukiah also gave Leland an opportunity to watch Amber Trotter, the cross country
high school national champ in 2001.
"Amber (Trotter) really inspired me," Leland said. "She's the biggest reason I've gone on."
Leland began running the summer before her freshman year at the urging of Drew, a family
friend. "He promised me I would have fun and he kept his word," Leland said.
Drew has had a number of outstanding runners in his program including Ryan Mack, the 1998
state champ.

"I've been blessed with three great runners; Trotter, Mack and now Leland," Drew said.
"Who knows what will happen with Shelby. The book on her hasn't been written.
"When it comes to these elite athletes there is a short window of opportunity, anything can
happen. There is not that much difference between Shelby and Phyliss. they are both talented."
Anderson compares Blanchard to Trotter in strength.
"Trotter was one of the strongest runners I have ever seen. She could go out and run a
fast pace from the beginning," Anderson said. "But she didn't have the kick of a Bei or Stamps,
who could really turn on the jets."

Anderson says Blanchard has the ability to think and respond in a race and not let other runners
dictate her race strategy, but not everything goes according to plan.
"Last year at the Regionals she was running with the lead group, got pushed back and slipped
on loose gravel and went to her knee. The incident broke her momentum and that was it, she
had no chance to win," Anderson said. "Racing is uncomfortable, you're always on the edge."
Blanchard has a good chance to finish in the top three at state and is shooting for a top-seven
finish in the Western Regionals, which would give her an entry into the nationals.

Leland finished 12th in state last year and second in the NCS behind Blanchard. Leland,
though, will have the advantage of running the NCS meet on her home course in Ukiah.
"I really love our course, it tests you. It has one set of three hills and you run it twice,"
said Leland, who can look at the Bei-Trotter rivalry for inspiration.
Trotter beat Bei to claimed the NCS title at Ukiah in 2000. However, Bei came back to
capture her fourth consecutive state title in Fresno at Woodward Park, a flatter layout and
then capped off her high school career with a record-smashing performance in the National
Footlocker meet. At the NFCC Bei broke the course record, running 16:55 on the
5000-meter course in Orlando, Florida. Trotter finished seventh, but came back to win
the nationals her senior year.

Blanchard and Leland share a common attitude -- a zeal to make their own mark.
"When I started running, I didn't even know who Bei was," Blanchard said. I run because
I love it ... I want to excell."
Leland said she likes the team unity of cross country, but doesn't compare herself to anyone.
"Really you are working for yourself, but sometimes when I get tired I think of the team and
that keeps me going," she said.

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